Anyone pick up a C8 Z06 recently?

[BrakeFade]

are you saying he needs a gold chain, golf shorts and crocs?

…I don’t think the z06 qualifies for any of that

He needs jorts, crew socks, and white new balance. That’s the only way to roll as a vette owner!

Sponsored

 

[Bender]

Very nice. I like it in yellow.

Any modification plans?

nothing too crazy. No tuning yet for these. Bought an extended warranty so won’t do much motor wise. The stock exhaust on these is amazing and I love it can start in track exhaust. I might consider an AWE one in the future.

car has been fully PPFd and ceramic coated, splash guards, grille screens, tint, and I added a few more CF pieces inside. I want to add the carbon steering wheel from the 3LZ package, black lug nuts, rear wheel spacers, and maybe drop some more weight off it. Only other performance mod I’m looking into Is a Eventuri intake.

 

[MikeR397]

I got my z07 (carbon wheels/aero ect)spec this past spring and did 5 track days with it (have owned a gt350r for 8yr and a boat load of track days). If people are interested I can write a longer review, but some short points:

On a larger track the z06/z07 is dramatically faster than the 350R. At Grattan I am around 1.25 best laps in the Shelby and I did a 1.20 literally the first session ever on track in the z06 (granted that was also my best clean lap all that weekend). A large part of the speed is the DCT and not rowing gears, but also I’m at 138 in the Shelby just before the end of the straight out of 4th gear but unable but to get 5th when you need 3rd to exit turn one). The z06 I’m a solid 10mph faster, almost able to clip 150mph if I really want to late brake — which I try to avoid given the cost of carbon rotors and pads and how terrible the cup2R tire life is!

handling wise and on a smaller more technical track (for me m1 or Waterford hills) I actually prefer the 350R (they are similar weight) even if it’s still a little slower due mainly to gearbox (not that I don’t love rowing gears!). The Shelby is easier to drive on the limit and has a very neutral Corning character which turns into understeer if you push too hard, vs the mid engine z06 I find has more over steer and I by far do more sawing at the steering wheel while Corning and exiting on power (which helps keep things fun when not shifting, I don’t even use paddles in it just like a GT3). Both have -3 camber, and perhaps I need to dial that back a bit in the z06 given the mid engine layout but so far tire wear has been balanced for me for road and track use.

the cup2R for the z06 is a major problem for me. I chorded both rears after 13 sessions, and the start of the third day (session 11) was like driving in the rain with 7 second slower lap times. There is no way I can get 3 track days on cup2R vs the Shelby cup 2 are good for 5-6 days easy (with 102y fronts, or 4 days with the 98y fronts until chording them). I killed 3 sets of cup2R tires in the z06 this year — originals lasted 13 sessions, then had two sets of take offs that had one track day and I killed each on my second track day. Next year gonna try Vitour P1 tires and hope they are closer to the cup 2 on the Shelby.

on the road, the z06 rides better and for sure feels more exotic with the mid engine layout and much much nicer interior. It’s a wild animal flat out in the upper rev range, I can’t fathom a ZR1 but don’t really see how you have more fun unless at a huge track winding it out and you really should have a roll cage at those speeds.

BTW, I still love my Shelby and have 6 more years of warranty I’ll own it for at least 14 years. Also, at 6’6” I’m fine with the Shelby and a helmet, but had to do a floor mounted tilled b10xl race seat to make the z06 work.

 

[honeybadger]

I got my z07 (carbon wheels/aero ect)spec this past spring and did 5 track days with it (have owned a gt350r for 8yr and a boat load of track days). If people are interested I can write a longer review, but some short points:

On a larger track the z06/z07 is dramatically faster than the 350R. At Grattan I am around 1.25 best laps in the Shelby and I did a 1.20 literally the first session ever on track in the z06 (granted that was also my best clean lap all that weekend). A large part of the speed is the DCT and not rowing gears, but also I’m at 138 in the Shelby just before the end of the straight out of 4th gear but unable but to get 5th when you need 3rd to exit turn one). The z06 I’m a solid 10mph faster, almost able to clip 150mph if I really want to late brake — which I try to avoid given the cost of carbon rotors and pads and how terrible the cup2R tire life is!

handling wise and on a smaller more technical track (for me m1 or Waterford hills) I actually prefer the 350R (they are similar weight) even if it’s still a little slower due mainly to gearbox (not that I don’t love rowing gears!). The Shelby is easier to drive on the limit and has a very neutral Corning character which turns into understeer if you push too hard, vs the mid engine z06 I find has more over steer and I by far do more sawing at the steering wheel while Corning and exiting on power (which helps keep things fun when not shifting, I don’t even use paddles in it just like a GT3). Both have -3 camber, and perhaps I need to dial that back a bit in the z06 given the mid engine layout but so far tire wear has been balanced for me for road and track use.

the cup2R for the z06 is a major problem for me. I chorded both rears after 13 sessions, and the start of the third day (session 11) was like driving in the rain with 7 second slower lap times. There is no way I can get 3 track days on cup2R vs the Shelby cup 2 are good for 5-6 days easy (with 102y fronts, or 4 days with the 98y fronts until chording them). I killed 3 sets of cup2R tires in the z06 this year — originals lasted 13 sessions, then had two sets of take offs that had one track day and I killed each on my second track day. Next year gonna try Vitour P1 tires and hope they are closer to the cup 2 on the Shelby.

on the road, the z06 rides better and for sure feels more exotic with the mid engine layout and much much nicer interior. It’s a wild animal flat out in the upper rev range, I can’t fathom a ZR1 but don’t really see how you have more fun unless at a huge track winding it out and you really should have a roll cage at those speeds.

BTW, I still love my Shelby and have 6 more years of warranty I’ll own it for at least 14 years. Also, at 6’6” I’m fine with the Shelby and a helmet, but had to do a floor mounted tilled b10xl race seat to make the z06 work.

beautiful color!

I talked a gent at Road America extensively about this car. Really loved what GM did and I think its awesome. I'd love one for cruising and having fun. Not sure I'd track it much, tho (here and there for fun).

He came from BMWs - he said the performance was mind-blowing, but the car was shockingly numb to drive a bit boring. Which I can understand. Once you go race car, its hard to enjoy street cars purely from a driving experience on track.

Personally, I think the Z06 is second only to a P-car for streetable performance. McLarens are obviously wicked fast - but running cost is too high, IMHO.

 

[rocsteady]

I got my z07 (carbon wheels/aero ect)spec this past spring and did 5 track days with it (have owned a gt350r for 8yr and a boat load of track days). If people are interested I can write a longer review, but some short points:

On a larger track the z06/z07 is dramatically faster than the 350R. At Grattan I am around 1.25 best laps in the Shelby and I did a 1.20 literally the first session ever on track in the z06 (granted that was also my best clean lap all that weekend). A large part of the speed is the DCT and not rowing gears, but also I’m at 138 in the Shelby just before the end of the straight out of 4th gear but unable but to get 5th when you need 3rd to exit turn one). The z06 I’m a solid 10mph faster, almost able to clip 150mph if I really want to late brake — which I try to avoid given the cost of carbon rotors and pads and how terrible the cup2R tire life is!

handling wise and on a smaller more technical track (for me m1 or Waterford hills) I actually prefer the 350R (they are similar weight) even if it’s still a little slower due mainly to gearbox (not that I don’t love rowing gears!). The Shelby is easier to drive on the limit and has a very neutral Corning character which turns into understeer if you push too hard, vs the mid engine z06 I find has more over steer and I by far do more sawing at the steering wheel while Corning and exiting on power (which helps keep things fun when not shifting, I don’t even use paddles in it just like a GT3). Both have -3 camber, and perhaps I need to dial that back a bit in the z06 given the mid engine layout but so far tire wear has been balanced for me for road and track use.

the cup2R for the z06 is a major problem for me. I chorded both rears after 13 sessions, and the start of the third day (session 11) was like driving in the rain with 7 second slower lap times. There is no way I can get 3 track days on cup2R vs the Shelby cup 2 are good for 5-6 days easy (with 102y fronts, or 4 days with the 98y fronts until chording them). I killed 3 sets of cup2R tires in the z06 this year — originals lasted 13 sessions, then had two sets of take offs that had one track day and I killed each on my second track day. Next year gonna try Vitour P1 tires and hope they are closer to the cup 2 on the Shelby.

on the road, the z06 rides better and for sure feels more exotic with the mid engine layout and much much nicer interior. It’s a wild animal flat out in the upper rev range, I can’t fathom a ZR1 but don’t really see how you have more fun unless at a huge track winding it out and you really should have a roll cage at those speeds.

BTW, I still love my Shelby and have 6 more years of warranty I’ll own it for at least 14 years. Also, at 6’6” I’m fine with the Shelby and a helmet, but had to do a floor mounted tilled b10xl race seat to make the z06 work.

As if the car wasn't fancy enough, check out the fancy schmancy garage!!

 

[wingnutt]

As if the car wasn't fancy enough, check out the fancy schmancy garage!!

well sure, but check out the height of his basketball net

all jokes aside, good write up…thank you @MikeR397

 

[rocsteady]

He says he's 6'6" so better watch or he'll really hurt his stomach on the rim.

 

[MikeR397]

He says he's 6'6" so better watch or he'll really hurt his stomach on the rim.

My kids keep lowering the damn hoop, which is great for them to dunk and for my 5yr old, but not great for me hitting my head when I’m not paying attention. The sports cars no issue, but I need to be careful with my Raptor when they put it this low and I’m backing out!

Btw the garage space is a recently finished addition I built mostly myself. The wood is just old barn wood at $4 sqft from a local reclaimed store that I brad nailed to the drywall, and the rocks/brick are the exterior of my house prior to doing this addition.

 

[MikeR397]

Personally, I think the Z06 is second only to a P-car for streetable performance. McLarens are obviously wicked fast - but running cost is too high, IMHO.

a good driver in a GT3 or RS can beat me in my 350R, but I’m usually very close. Never been the case so far in the z06 which is 2+ seconds faster than multiple friends in Gt3/rs that were quicker than me in the Shelby. I love the 992.2 gt3RS and fit great in it, but it was double the price and the speed comes from corner stability and aero / momentum and it’s way more compromised for street driving (rough ride, way rougher than z06 and Shelby). A buddy has one and doesn’t even like to drive it on the street to events so it’s literally 97% track miles on his. I’m sure it’s a blast and I’d love to own one, but I don’t think most people would be faster in a GT3 vs z06 in most situations and they are double the price. Granted, I can see an argument for both, but only the GT3 or RS. I know all the hype for the GT4RS but out of 10-15+ ive been on track with they are all substantially less capable lap times than gt3’s when I’m with them and don’t look the same part to me, but also less $$.

I’m driving a McLaren in Vegas next week, first time in one. Doing a 765LT (next day Ferrari 812) and splitting cost with a buddy which isn’t too terrible considering the price tag on these things, definitely did the Amex rental coverage $100k deal just in case!

I’d really like to own a McLaren but I have a steadfast rule I won’t track a car not under warranty (friend blew a $100k motor on track with his 720s, I blew my Shelby motor and previously trans up too, just not interested without a warranty), and 720s extended warranty is $6k a year and new McLaren’s outside limited ones, depreciate wayyyy too much to buy just for the warranty. There is a lot of bs about, but I do think they are more troublesome than other cars to repair due to electric and suspension issues as well as mechanical ones. Maybe one day, but not comfortable risking $500k with no insurance on the track or the general reliability to own a 720 or 765, or the depreciation of a 750.

also, as amazing as they look and the doors, parking my z06 next to them it’s kinda not really all that much more special exterior, and rhe z06 interior is nicer probably and certainly better stereo/carplay/hvac/ect…

eta: for the money, and with a warranty, the fun factor and specialness of the 350/r cannot be beat imho.

Sponsored